Majority Leader Kavanagh Introduces Legislation to Protect Law Enforcement by Banning Real-Time Arrest Alerts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Republicans are advancing legislation to shut down dangerous behavior that puts law enforcement officers at risk and helps criminals evade arrest.
SB 1635, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh, makes it illegal to intentionally interfere with a lawful arrest by warning a suspect in real time that law enforcement is actively moving in. The bill is a direct response to recent incidents where elected officials used public platforms to alert individuals about active law enforcement operations, allowing suspects to flee while jeopardizing officer safety.
"As President Trump works to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities, radical Democrat lawmakers, including Senator Analise Ortiz, have chosen to interfere and help criminals evade arrest," said Majority Leader Kavanagh. "That behavior endangers law enforcement officers, threatens public safety, and shows a complete disregard for the rule of law. Arizona is not a state of anarchy, and we will not tolerate elected officials undermining active law enforcement operations."
SB 1635 makes clear that tipping off someone to an imminent arrest is not activism, it's interference. The bill is narrowly tailored to target deliberate, real-time warnings intended to hinder or prevent lawful arrests, while preserving protections for attorneys providing legal advice, journalists reporting the news, and innocent communications made without intent to interfere.
"This legislation reinforces a basic principle most Arizonans already believe — the law applies to everyone, and no one gets a free pass to interfere with public safety," said Majority Leader Kavanagh.
SB 1635 is scheduled for consideration Wednesday afternoon in the Senate Committee on Judiciary & Elections.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus